Winemaker Christian Roguenant explained that this Chardonnay is made from the top blocks in the Niven family’s Firepeak Vineyard. Named Grand Firepeak Cuvee “GFC,” it’s aged in 100 percent French oak, 38 percent new. I enjoyed the delicious flavors of sweet pear, nectarine, and minerals, nicely offset by nuances of lemon and tropical notes. Enjoy this as an aperitif, or pair it with sand dabs in beurre blanc, Dungeness crab with drawn butter, or roasted poultry. SIP certified, the vineyard is sustainably farmed. Available at the Baileyana tasting room on Orcutt Road, it’s $30 retail.
This article appears in Apr 19-26, 2012.
